Author: admin Category: Health, Cancer, Men's Health, Women's Health
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New light-activated suncream will cut skin cancer

With the return of the good weather we are once again basking in sunshine, but with over 1000,000 new cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the UK each year, of which 10,000 are malignant melanoma, we can never be too vigilant over sun protection.

When skin is exposed to the UVA components of sunlight it releases iron and produces free radicals.  The free radicals in turn interact with fat, protein and DNA within the cells, and the release of free iron combine to damage the skin, causing photo-ageing and an increased risk of skin cancer.

If we are sensible and protect our skin, avoid long exposure to the sun and never burn we will be reducing our chances of skin cancer.  But imagine if we were able to wear a sunscreen that was activated by the damaging UVA, which released anti-oxidants to neutralise the free radicals, whilst at the same time capturing excess iron in the skin.  It sounds too good to be true doesn’t it, but we might only be a few years away from being able to purchase this product.

Scientists at the University of Bath have discovered new compounds which are light activated when exposed to the relevant does of UVA, and are capable of releasing anti-oxidants while also capturing the excess iron in the skin.

Dr Charareh Pourzand, Researcher in Pharmacy & Pharmacology said: “Antioxidants have already been used as a means to counteract the skin damage caused by UVA.  However these agents are not effective, since the simultaneous release of iron in the cells continues to generate more harmful free radicals.  The use of ‘naked’ iron chelators for skin protection is also not adequate, since such agents would starve the cells from the iron that is necessary.

“The molecules we have developed respond to sunlight and provide a safe solution to this problem.  The potential medical impact of this project is significant as the caged-iron chelators could provide a highly effective means of protection against UVA- and UVB-induced skin damage and associated skin cancer.”

Medicinal chemist Dr Ian Eggleston added: “The new compounds that we are synthesising provide a highly effective means of protection against both UVA- and UVB-induced skin damage and associated skin cancer, without inducing toxicity in cells.  These compounds will be applied as a ‘pro-drug’ to the skin as part of a suncream, and then activated at the right time and in the right place by UVA.”

The University of Bath have benefitted from research grants from Garnier and the British Skin Foundation.

Hermione Lawson, from the British Skin Foundation, commented: “We are very excited to play a part in this pioneering research that could lead to a new generation of sunscreens.  It is essential this kind of scientific research continues to be funded so that we can further our understanding of the complex relationship between UV rays and the development of skin cancer.  We look forward to the continued findings of Drs Pourzand and Eggleston and their team.”

 

The University of Bath         British Skin Foundation